In
this video view I'm proud to show you a closer look of O2 Germany's
Xda orbit 2,
O2's version of the
HTC Touch Cruise (aka
the HTC Polaris). Featuring
GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/EDGE as well as WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and FM radio, this
Windows Mobile 6 Professional smartphone works with nearly any radio signal a
device can receive (only DVB/DMB isn't supported).
As a device of HTC's Touch-line of smartphone, also the O2 Xda orbit 2 features
HTC's TouchFLO GUI for
a more convenient and stylus-less thumb-based use. Last but not least,
the O2 Xda orbit 2 features a 3 megapixel autofocus main camera which is the
same as used for the HTC TyTN II.

O2 uses a slightly different design for it's version of the HTC Polaris but
this ID looks more like O2's previously released
O2 Xda orbit:

it's amazing how quick the touchflo interface reacts to the finger gestures compared to my touch. any idea on the price and availability? and oh, can that be purchased without an O2 contract?

Posted by Arne Hess on 27.11.07 - 13:02:19

Yes, the 400 MHz definitely pays off for TouchFLO speed. Price withouth a contract should be anywhere around 499,99 Euro or so and availability is expected for December. And yes, O2 Germany is selling it's devices SIM free, without any contracts. And - best of all - O2 Germany devices aren't locked!

Posted by Andy Turner on 28.11.07 - 14:06:42

I notice that the keys for the soft menus have gone, how does this work now - do you have to press the menus on-screen?

Posted by Arne Hess on 29.11.07 - 14:42:42

Yes, you have to use the screen instead. No Touch-family device sports hardware keys for the menu buttons anymore but you have to use the screen instead.

Posted by Stefan Hemmerich on 01.12.07 - 17:31:14

I recently have read your review of the xda star. In comparison, which one would you like for daily use?

Posted by Leandro Indrusiak on 03.12.07 - 09:45:32

The jog wheel and action button of the original XDA Orbit seemed too fragile. Is the Orbit 2 any better on this regard?

Posted by Arne Hess on 03.12.07 - 17:05:55

@Stefan Hemmerich: Tough call but since I'm addicted to hardware keyboards for devices I use as my mobile phone, it's the Xda star. Sure, the Xda orbit 2 supports even more bands (quadband GSM/triband UMTS), WiFi (which I miss on my Xda star) and GPS (which you can add to an Xda star using Bluetooth GPS receivers) but (for me) the keyboard is even more important!